Summer Theatre in the Quad Cities
Quad Cities Theatre is not to be missed this summer because in-person shows are back. Whether you want a family-friendly afternoon, musical, or an edgy evening, the Quad Cities has it all this summer.
Nestled in Prospect Park in Moline, Quad City Music Guild presents “Mamma Mia” on July 9-11 and 15-18. Tap your toes along to your favorite ABBA songs. Based on a favorite children’s book, “Matilda: The Musical” will be performed August 6-8 and 12-15. Matilda is a sharp girl with a vivid imagination. Desperately wanting out of the life she has, she learns she not only has astonishing wit, but psychokinetic powers as well. Call 309-762-6610 or www.qcmusicguild.com for reservations.
The Mississippi Bend Players have taken up summer residency at the Brunner Theatre Center at Augustana College in Rock Island since 2017. MBP is a unique blend of theatre professionals, regional community members and theatre interns that create professional-quality productions. Conceived and performed by Augustana College professor Shelley Cooper, “Mary and Ethel: How I Learned to Sing” on June 24-27 features favorite tunes from “Hello, Dolly!”, “The Sound of Music,” and “Anything Goes!” These sprightly tunes will have you dancing in your seat! In “No Child…” a single actress will play 16 different characters in a New York City public school. This touching performance on July 8-11 addresses the current state of our education system.
Leo Schubert, who has been to every MBP production, says, “The Brunner Theatre is an intimate space and when you watch the Mississippi Bend Players there, you aren’t just at the show, but you will feel that you are part of it. Augustana students get the opportunity to work with regional theatre professionals, making it the perfect blend of educational and professional theatre.” Tickets and information can be found at mississippibendplayers.com
A favorite in downtown Rock Island, Circa ‘21 is the only dinner playhouse in the area where you can enjoy dinner and a show. “Beehive” (think ‘60’s hair style) pays tribute to some of the most iconic musicians from the ‘50s and ‘60s. Running through July 10, make sure you don’t miss the music that wowed an entire generation. Keep dancing in your seats and go see “Saturday Night Fever”. After all, what’s a more perfect, light hearted fun summer night than the legendary hits from the Bee Gees? Performances run July 16-September 11. For tickets and information, visit www.circa21.com or call 309-786-7733.
For your classical theatre fix, Genesius Guild in Rock Island gives you the classics under the stars, and attendance is free! Doug Tschopp, Executive Director of Genesius Guild, says of the season: “This is a great summer for theatre in the park with an entertaining and informative look at William Shakespeare. Finally, we close the season with a staple of the Genesius Guild—Greek tragedy performed in mask, rarely done in the U.S.”
“Shakespeare’s Life in his Words”, by Genesius Guild founder Don Wooten, will be performed July 3-4 and 10-11. This will be the first time it will be performed on the Genesius stage, and it pays tribute to Shakespeare’s life. Last in their summer series is the Green tragedy “Hippolytus”, from 428 BCE which is part of the trilogy by Euripides on July 17-18, 24-25. Information can be found at www.genesius.org
Playcrafters Barn Theatre in Moline reopens this summer after having their doors closed for 15 long months. Penned by famed playwright August Wilson, “The Piano Lessons” focus on old piano covered with incredible carvings detailing the family’s rise from slavery. Its 1936 and the brother wants to sell it to buy land, but his sister doesn’t want to. Boy Willie tries to persuade his stubborn sister that the past is past, but she is more formidable than he anticipated. See it July 16-18, 23-25.
Written by local playwright, Jim Sederquist, “The Whistleblower’s Dilemma” takes a look at the suspenseful twists and turns in company culture. Can the man and the friend forestall the investigator from finding the fraud set up to frame the fraudster who originally framed the factory fraud on the man before they themselves turn in the fraudster for the first fraud and save the factory? Find out August 13-15, 20-22. Tickets and info can be found at playcrafters.com
The Quad Cities is a family of communities located on the Mississippi River. The area is just a 2-½ hour drive from Des Moines, Iowa, and Chicago, Illinois. It is easily accessible via I-80, I-74, I-88 and several major state highways.
Founded in 1990, Visit Quad Cities is the official Destination Management and Marketing Organization (DMMO) for the region. Visit Quad Cities is a private 501(c)(6) non-profit engine charged with driving economic opportunity through tourism, improves quality of life and markets the Quad Cities brand by attracting visitors, meetings/conventions, sporting events, and group tours to the area. For more information, visit us online at www.visitquadcities.com, call 800-747-7800 and be sure to connect with us on social media.
Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.
Email Ray Hanania at rghanania@gmail.com.
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